The topic of the COVID-19 pandemic is hard to avoid these days. Trust me. I’ve tried. After all of the hyperbole, politicization, egotism, proselytizing, and fear (LOTS of fear), we don’t end up any closer to feeling comfortable with the situation. There is a lot to get comfortable with.
I’ve written posts about COVID-19 and tried to step away to look at other more cheerful topics in Health and Fitness. The strength of my teaching is in promotion of positive Health outcomes and not wallowing around in disease treatment.
What brings me back to the subject is all of these self-appointed amateur virologists and epidemiologist in positions of political leadership around the world abusing the heck out of science. Who knew that such self-determined scientific authority could confer so much magical medical expertise in addressing a global pandemic? Any real Science that was around at the start, has become muddled beyond recognition.
So, I’m back to add some perspective, not hyperbole, about the COVID-19 pandemic. As I’ve shared so many times, Science is not about qualities like good or bad. Science/Nature just is – whether you like the information or not.
Taking A Step Back to Reflect on the View
This COVID-19 virus may be unique to the population but it does behave in the pretty predictable fashion of other coronaviruses. First there is infection (generally from airborne transmission), which results in illness, from which there are two outcomes: recovery or death.
There I said it. Some people will die from COVID infections. Even with all the human interventions, from masking to vaccines, none will prevent some people from dying. We’ve known this from the start.
Once enough of our collective immune systems become familiar with the viral signature, something called herd immunity develops and COVID-19 becomes just another yearly virus like all of the rest. The virus will still have the capacity to kill the vulnerable but that aspect also is not new. People die from colds and flu every year.
There are no real shortcuts around the natural progression of the virus but we are finding ways to manage the expression of the virus.
Please read carefully, we will not “cure” COVID-19. We will only manage the appearance of it in the population.
Mutations of the virus, or “variants” as they have been renamed, are perfectly normal behaviors for the virus. Like we have different versions of the flu circulating around the world population at any given time, COVID-19 is generating slightly different versions of itself as time goes on.
This is some of the real Science of the COVID-19 pandemic
Our COVID-19 Pandemic Toolbox
Besides the ongoing testing of different medications and procedures in the treatment of COVID-19, Public Health and (unfortunately) political leaders have instituted various large-scale measure to slow the spread of infection. The driving concept behind these measures has been to limit the number of cases so that existing healthcare facilities are not overwhelmed. Even 18 months later, this is still the priority for public officials.
Isolation
We have tried isolation as a method to slow spread of the virus. “Flatten the Curve” devolved into stay at home and be afraid indefinitely. At best, this fear-driven method served only short-term goals and was a reflection of poor leadership of those in charge. As we are finding out now, this produces significant negative effects on the economy and our mental health.
Probably not a great first choice in response to a pandemic.
Information
One of our strongest tools is information. As we have built up our knowledge base about the virus in the population, we observed that the general behavior of the virus is not unique. Understanding the nature of the threat allows us to develop appropriate responses that protect us.
Masks
Adding masks to our daily wardrobe adds a minimal barrier to slow spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19. Appropriate for use in confined spaces with others present, it is a good common sense physical barrier. Masking however does not stop transmission of the virus, nor is wearing or not wearing masks a good basis for religious dogma. Masks are just one tool used to slow the spread of a contagion among groups of people. Nothing more. Nothing less.
COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccines
The timeline for the rapid development of viable vaccines that lessen the severity of symptoms has been truly astounding. Prioritizing immune compromised individuals who were least likely to handle being infected by the virus was but a step taken to reduce the possible burden on a healthcare system not equipped for mass casualties of a pandemic.
The question of vaccines, like any medical treatment, is best managed between a physician and patient. The doctor is best informed of a patient’s history to determine whether risks outweigh benefits in any person’s case.
There is no free lunch. There is always risk to be considered.
COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent an individual from later becoming infected and spreading the virus. There is still that possibility. Again, the vaccines reduce the severity of symptoms within the vaccinated person so they don’t get as sick when infected.
Mandates and Such
So, beware the rhetoric surrounding vaccine mandates. Like so much of our pandemic conversations, there is a kernel of scientific truth present but it has been used to support some remarkably unscientific actions. (Using an all stick and no carrot motivation method that still bewilders me.) New reliable information about the pandemic comes out almost hourly. The subject is not close to being scientifically settled.
There is still a whole lot we still have to learn. All of the questions have not been asked and all of the questions that have been asked, do not have answers. Given the warring schools of thought on the subject, the best we can do is to educate ourselves and make an informed choice. There are always consequences for our choices.
Be informed. Make a decision from a strength of knowledge instead of fear or peer-pressure.
Oh, and like the masking situation above, vaccines are not a religious movement. Vaccines are one of many tools used in sensibly responding to the pandemic. They are not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you are not sure, again, talk with your doctor.
From the start, a coronavirus infection has always been a “when” we get infected, not an “if” proposition. Doing our best to improve the odds of surviving the infection is the challenge in front of us.
It would also be nice if Nature agreed with our fetish of counting. Positive cases, available ICU beds, numbers of the vaccinated and non-vaccinated, etc. You will notice that all of these numbers are generally ignored by the natural progression of the virus. People are not really in control of the situation. Nature is.
COVID-19 Pandemic Best Practices
Confronting the COVID-19 pandemic is all about having the best possible Health and protection when you eventually encounter the coronavirus and its many variations
Before politicized measures were instituted, Public Health docs were a good source of pandemic management wisdom. They are less so now but please still consider Public Health measures as tools in your toolbox. Masking and vaccines serve a purpose but they are still just agnostic tools for the job.
The best response? Consult with your physician. Your doctor is hands down the best person to talk with because they have an interest in your Health. The coronavirus is notable for its ability to exploit individual weaknesses in our immune systems. This important conversation needs to take place between you and your doc.
In the meantime, directly addressing risk factors like weight, diet, exercise, and stress are easily done.
Step away from the news and social debates (aren’t they the same now?). Just unplug to regain your mental health. Now is a time to keep mentally healthy. Circumstances are unique and we need to work the problem.
Certainty is in short supply, so we get to build our own.
There are no sides in the COVID-19 pandemic challenges we face. We are not vaxxers or anti-vaxxers, etc. – we are a world of people facing up to a worldwide infection. Adding stressors like black-and-white arguments of who’s right or wrong contributes nothing.
Stop doing it.
It doesn’t help.
Accept what we’ve got, take care of yourself, and persevere.
We truly are stronger than we think.
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.
― Philip K. Dick
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